SEEKING ² :: cth (Book 2)

58.

S E E K I N G

You got me mystified 

• • •

"Alright, so the halls have officially been decked." Ashton drops tiredly in one of the dining room chairs. He had come over to help with their Christmas decorations. "Oh, and sorry again about Frosty." He refers to the inflatable snowman that had popped under his watch.

"No worries. Just sad he had to go out so tragically." Audra jokes. "Thanks again for helping me."

"Of course, it was a pleasure helping the old Mother Hood...Get it? Mother Hood? Because you're a mother and ... it's like motherhood." He explains.

"I get it Ash." The girl laughs. "Although, I'm not a Hood just yet. That best friend of yours has yet to put a ring on it."

"I'm sure he will soon."

"Has he, you know? Talked about it?" She asked curiously, sliding a bottle of water towards him.

"Well....no. But...I'd give it some time maybe. But knowing Cal, I'm sure it's coming."

"Are you guys talking about me?" The tan boy comes down the stairs with Nova in his arms.

"Yeah, and what about it?" Audra teases.

"Nothing, just hope you guys didn't bad mouth me too much."

"Eh, just a smidge." She quips, taking the girl from his arms. "I'm gonna go and show ladybug the decorations outside."

"Oh, she's gonna love Frosty." Cal says excitedly.

Both Audra and Ashton look at each other. But it's Ash who says, "About that mate...we weren't able to revive him."

"Awe men."

"Don't be so disappointed." The blonde laughs. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll get you guys a new one."

"Nah, don't worry about it." He waves off. "So....what were you guys talking about?" He tries to go for subtle.

"Someone seems worried." Ash jokes.

"I'm not....just curious is all."

Ashton looks behind him, before turning back around to face his friend. "So, I made this joke earlier, and we ended up talking about..." Ash points to his ring finger.

And it'd be an understatement to say Calum was caught off guard. Not necessarily by the idea of marrying her, but more so the timing of the subject matter. "Oh...What about it?"

"She said something along the lines of how she doesn't have a ring yet, and I said you guys should give it time, and how it'd probably come eventually."

"Hm..." Calum says stumped.

"Don't overthink it man. I kinda set the conversation up. She wasn't saying -"

"No, it's not you...or her. I just think this is all so coincidental." He smiles; noticing the confused look on Ashton's face. "I was kinda looking at a little something when we went to The Grove last week." He pulls out his phone; showing Ash the picture of some beautiful engagement ring sitting behind the display case.

"Whoa...that's a beauty. Wait, what disappearing act did you have to do to sneak into a jewelry store with her around?"

"I did it while she was in American Doll." He snorts, remembering how she practically ran into the store like a child with Nova. In fact, in such a mundane moment, he realized that he wanted to absolutely, without a doubt spend the rest of his life with her: which led him to the nearest jewelry store looking at engagement rings.

 "So, you were thinking about it too then?"

"Have been for some time now. But...I don't wanna rush things."

"I mean you guys have known each other practically forever. Timing is just a myth."

"I beg to differ." He counters. "I mean, sure, we do know each other pretty well; we were friends first after all. But-"

"Friends that kissed."

"Once."

"Twice."

"Whatever... I'm gonna give it some more time. But...I'm still gonna get the ring."

"Are you now?"

"Yeah. I think having it makes the idea more real. Just... don't say anything to her yet."

"Yeah, like I'd really want to ruin Audra's....Christmas by not getting another snowman mate." Ashton saves himself as she and Nova come back inside.

"Ash, I told you not to worry about it." She chuckles. "Novie, loved the decorations as is."

"Alright, fine if you insist." He laughs, watching as the two head out of earshot, before turning back towards Calum. "This is gonna be harder than I thought."

• • •

"Home Alone."

"I thought we agreed on Elf?"

"No, Home Alone."

"I think Elf is better."

"Come on Cal." Audra groans. They had agreed to host the Christmas get together this year, and still hadn't decided on what to watch.

"Home Alone is such a family movie. You, Novie and I can watch it together. Elf is funnier."

"But Home Alone is a classic."

"Right, so let's save the classics for us then. Please?"

She sighs. "If Nova turns out to be a diva, she would've learned from you."

"Sure." He smiles to himself. He watches as she cuts the cake. His mind taking him to a reception hall; a double decker cake; the bride and groom cake toppers. This had been happening all week; his conscious making everything scream wedding bells. Did that mean that it was coming sooner than expected? He didn't know. But every mundane thing lately seemed like a sign.

"Babe?"

"Hmm?"

"You good?" She chuckles to herself.

"Yeah...just a bit of a dizzy spell."

She takes the box of cookies from him. "Go, I've got it. You've been going all day."

"Oh, no I'm fine."

"Sure you are; seriously I've got it from here. Why don't you go and relax? The guys and girls will be here any minute."

"Alright." He kisses her cheek, trudging towards the living room.

And it's Luke and Si who arrive first.

"Merry Christmas eve, eve, eve, eve, eve!" Luke exclaims.

"Pretty sure you're missing an eve mate." Calum chuckles.

"Please don't encourage him. I told him not to do that." Sierra snorts. "Anyway, where's my baby?"

"If you're talking about Audra, she's still in the kitchen. If you mean Nova, she's asleep."

"No, I was meaning Nova. Audra is my wife." She jokes.

There it is again. Calum thinks. At this point it was almost comical.

"Actually, our wife." Luke teases. He notices the disconcerted look on his friend's face. "Come on man, we were just messi—"

"I think I need to marry Audra." He says abruptly, completely throwing his band member for a loop.

"I'm...I...alright then." He laughs.